All of this is to say that if we continue to play the game we are playing right now I think you have to give Veleno a long look at that 3rd line center spot. Ultimately he should push Niesen down the depth chart but you can't pencil him into that role next season. He's not gritttaaaayyyy enough to supplant Glendening or De la Rose at center but he's a solid two way player and ya gotta score goals to win games. We only have two guys who are locks to score 20 or more goals this season and it seems like half the fanbase wants to trade one of them away.

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My issue with giving Veleno third line duties is pretty much the same problem that happened with him at the WJC. He's not a bottom-6 kind of player, he needs top-6 time, so I'd much rather have him get that at the GR than get botton-6 time with the Wings.

I can't remember exactly what we did with Larkin, but I'm pretty sure he was playing top-6 on the wing, which may be something to consider with Veleno if he makes the team. We need to start treating high end talent like high end talent, meaning give them a shot and see if they run with it or fail. This may be something to consider with Zadina as well.

My issue with giving Veleno third line duties is pretty much the same problem that happened with him at the WJC. He's not a bottom-6 kind of player, he needs top-6 time, so I'd much rather have him get that at the GR than get botton-6 time with the Wings.

I can't remember exactly what we did with Larkin, but I'm pretty sure he was playing top-6 on the wing, which may be something to consider with Veleno if he makes the team. We need to start treating high end talent like high end talent, meaning give them a shot and see if they run with it or fail. This may be something to consider with Zadina as well.

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Larkin was on Z's wing.

Unfortunately that's not an option with Veleno, but there might be a spot on the second line if Nyquist gets traded. Vanek isn't going to get re-signed, and Ras could get dropped to the third line.

My issue with giving Veleno third line duties is pretty much the same problem that happened with him at the WJC. He's not a bottom-6 kind of player, he needs top-6 time, so I'd much rather have him get that at the GR than get botton-6 time with the Wings.

I can't remember exactly what we did with Larkin, but I'm pretty sure he was playing top-6 on the wing, which may be something to consider with Veleno if he makes the team. We need to start treating high end talent like high end talent, meaning give them a shot and see if they run with it or fail. This may be something to consider with Zadina as well.

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The idea of a top and bottom six is a thing of the past imo. Depending on FA + the Draft, I think we can surround him with plenty of talent on the wings, even if it is on the third line.

My issue with giving Veleno third line duties is pretty much the same problem that happened with him at the WJC. He's not a bottom-6 kind of player, he needs top-6 time, so I'd much rather have him get that at the GR than get botton-6 time with the Wings.

I can't remember exactly what we did with Larkin, but I'm pretty sure he was playing top-6 on the wing, which may be something to consider with Veleno if he makes the team. We need to start treating high end talent like high end talent, meaning give them a shot and see if they run with it or fail. This may be something to consider with Zadina as well.

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Don’t put too much stock into a small tournament like that. Veleno is a very complete player.

Don’t put too much stock into a small tournament like that. Veleno is a very complete player.

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In an ideal situation, I think we should be moving to our top nine being offensive oriented, and keep our fourth line as a checking/defensive unit.
Larkin is a good 2 way pivot, and Veleno is advertised as a 200ft player as well. And if you look at a team like Tampa bay, they have three offensive speedy guys up the middle in Point, Stamkos, and Johnson I believe. The whole top 6 and bottom 6 is a bit outdated IMO.